September 04, 2025

Eighteen rising leaders have been selected to the newest cohort of the University of Chicago Obama Foundation Scholars Program, which was announced Sept. 4.

Drawn from communities around the world and across Chicago, this year’s cohort will include students from the Booth School of Business, the Harris School of Public Policy and the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice. The scholars enter the program as advocates for issues ranging from equitable access to education and civic engagement to climate resilience and affordable housing.

The Obama Foundation Scholars program provides scholars with real-world skills, tools and experiences to build upon their work in their communities—and explore models for leadership and social change. This includes being immersed in a curriculum that gives students a chance to deepen their skills, connect with peers, and engage in Foundation-led leadership programming that provides networking opportunities and personalized support beyond graduation. 

“Students in the University of Chicago Obama Foundation Scholars Program deeply value the ability to test ideas and partner with communities to translate insights from scholarship into impact,” said Provost Katherine Baicker. “By engaging partners across Chicago and beyond, these rising leaders will develop the tools needed to address complex challenges for the benefit of their communities.”

Since its inception in 2018, the Obama Foundation Scholars program has supported 190 leaders from 67 countries. This year’s cohort includes 29 leaders from UChicago and Columbia University, who are working to make a difference, both here and abroad—from improving health care in Chicago to expanding access to education in Uzbekistan.

“We’re proud to welcome the newest class of Obama Foundation Scholars,” said Valerie Jarrett, CEO of the Obama Foundation. “They bring bold ideas, deep community ties, and a track record of turning vision into action. Over the next year, they’ll sharpen their skills, expand their networks, and learn from one another so they can return home ready to expand opportunities for the organizations and communities they serve.”

Support for the UChicago Obama Foundation Scholars Program is being provided by BMO Harris Bank; Robert and Jane Clark; The Clayco Foundation; The Crown Family; The Harris Family Foundation; Rachel DeYoung Kohler and Mark S. Hoplamazian; The Judy and Peter Blum Kovler Foundation; Charles Ashby Lewis and Penny Bender Sebring; The Lewis-Sebring Family Foundation; The Neubauer Family Foundation; and Susan Rustandy and Tandean Rustandy.

Read more about this year’s UChicago Obama Foundation Scholars below:

Booth School of Business

Temilade Adelakun — Nigeria

Impact strategy lead, Empowered Africa

Empowering underprivileged girls in Africa to become innovators in STEM by expanding access to education, mentorship and digital resources.

Megha Bhattacharya — Chicago

Former diplomat, U.S. Department of State; former press aide, White House

Equipping young leaders with the tools, networks and confidence to drive civic engagement and active participation in democracy.

Christian Ochoa — Wyoming, Michigan

Graduate research assistant, UChicago Medical Center

Championing equitable kidney health through accessible care outreach and education on Chicago’s South Side.

Opeyemi Sunmola — Nigeria

Executive director, City of LANE

Expanding access to global education and civic leadership across Africa and the African diaspora.

Prabha Upreti — Nepal

Co-founder, Aakar Nepal

Building a pipeline of innovative local leaders and solutions that foster sustainable, inclusive growth in underserved communities.

Hira Qureshi — Marietta, Georgia

Civic talent pipeline builder

Expanding equitable access to public service careers by building pathways to civic-focused opportunities.

Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy and Practice

Sonia Garcia — Chicago

Manager of benefits outreach, Greater Chicago Food Depository

Supporting high-need communities by expanding access to food and public benefits through policy, outreach and systems-level change.

Levi Jenkins — Chicago

Be Well program specialist, Chicago Public Schools

Empowering educators and leaders through systems that prioritize wellness and support thriving schools.

Juliann Krupa — Chicago

Academic project manager, The School for Field Studies

Building environmental literacy and leadership through interdisciplinary, place-based education.

Jessica Perez — Washington, D.C.

Manager of partnerships and community impact, Results for America

Bringing community voices into government processes to drive equitable, community-led solutions.

Julia Wiener — Chicago

Tenant rights organizer

Organizing tenants to build community power and advocate for more affordable housing.

Harris School of Public Policy

Noah Alfman — Dresden, Ohio

Founder, Heroes

Helping young people thrive in the modern world through online mental health and life-planning programs.

Safa Baig — Pakistan

Co-founder, HamSukhan

Making cities and public spaces in Pakistan more inclusive by amplifying women’s leadership and civic participation.

Afgan Gradiyanto — Indonesia

Office of the Minister, Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology

Catalyzing philanthropic funding to advance climate action in Indonesia.

Risolat Makhsimova — Uzbekistan

Project manager, Youth Affairs Agency of Uzbekistan

Empowering youth and transforming education systems through policy innovation and media-driven social change.

Eltjana Plaku — Albania

Consultant, World Bank

Mobilizing innovative tools in emerging economies to support sustainable growth and opportunities for youth.

Carmen Rozas Olivera — Peru

Founder and public policy consultant, Cusco Mentorship Program and Peruvian government

Transforming access to leadership for women and youth through inclusive public policy and community-led education.

Booth School of Business and Harris School of Public Policy

Hashaam Asif — Pakistan

Founder, Hunar Se Rozgar; former public servant, government of Pakistan

Tackling inequality of opportunity and multidimensional poverty in Pakistan by providing digital skills, access to capital, coaching and community.